Runoff elections in Croatia: Sensation in Rijeka, excitement in Split!

Runoff elections in Croatia: Sensation in Rijeka, excitement in Split!

In Croatia today, the runoff elections are on the agenda in the country's three largest cities: Zagreb, Split and Rijeka. The election has the potential to reposition various political forces and significantly change the local governance landscape. The mood is tense, especially in the cities where citizens decide on their future mayors.

In Zagreb, the capital, the selection of the mayor seems to have already been decided. The incumbent mayorTomislav Tomasevicis clearly in the lead in the polls. Tomašević, who has led the city for the past four years, narrowly missed an absolute majority in the first round and is now running against the independent candidateMarija Selak Raspudićto. Tomašević received 47.30 percent of the vote in the first round, while Selak Raspudić received 15.74 percent, indicating a clear dominance of the incumbent mayor reports the Kleine Zeitung.

Tensions in Split and Rijeka

Meanwhile, an exciting election campaign is expected in Split. The liberal mayorIvica Puljakonly has a narrow lead overTomislav Sutafrom the rulingCroatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Puljak won the first round by less than five percentage points, making the outcome of the election an uncertain and eventful contest.

A sensation is about to happen in Rijeka as the Social Democrats (SDP) may have to give up their rule after more than 30 years. The independent candidateIva Rinčićis considered the favorite. She gained a significant lead against the incumbent in the first roundMarko Filipović, who now has to run as an independent candidate after the SDP fielded another candidate. Rinčić also receives support from several smaller liberal parties reports Vreme.

Regional and national implications

In total, nine mayors of districts in Croatia received more than 50 percent of the votes and thus secured another four-year mandate. The newly elected mayors includeKrešimir Ačkar(HDZ) in Velika Gorica andMisel Jakšić(SDP) in Koprivnica. The political situation is influenced by the preparations for the parliamentary elections in April 2024; Parliament was recently dissolved, indicating further political unrest says the Federal Agency for Civic Education.

While the polling stations are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the entire election situation in Croatia remains tense. The developments could have far-reaching consequences for the upcoming parliamentary elections and the stability of the current government.